Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Members should please ensure that their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment even if they are on silent mode. Are the minutes of the meeting of 12 October 2022 agreed to? Agreed.

On behalf of the committee I welcome Mr. Enda McGorman, principal, Mary Mother of Hope National School in Dublin 15, and Irish Primary Principals’ Network, IPPN, Mr. Paul Crone, director, National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, NAPD, Mr. Craig Petrie, executive member, Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools, ACCS, and principal of East Glendalough School ; Mr. John Curtis, general secretary, Joint Managerial Board, JMB; Ms Eileen O'Rourke, general secretary, National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education, NABMSE; Mr. Mark McDonald, director of schools in the City of Dublin Education and Training Board, CDETB, and Education and Training Boards Ireland, ETBI.

The witnesses are here today to discuss mental health supports in schools and tertiary education. The format of the meeting is that I will invite Mr. McGorman to make a brief opening statement, followed by Mr. Crone, Mr. Petrie, Mr. Curtis, Ms O'Rourke and Mr. McDonald. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee. Each member will have a six-minute slot today to ask questions and for the witnesses to respond. I remind the witnesses that there are timers under the screens showing the countdown clock. They should keep an eye on them when making their opening statement and also when responding to questions from members. As members are probably aware, the committee will publish the opening statements on its website following the meeting.

Before we begin I remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

Witnesses should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in regard to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed by the Chair to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I invite Mr. McGorman to make his opening statement.